How to Choose Wall Art for Your Home
When it comes to artwork in your home, it is fair to feel intimidated. With the internet, the possibilities are literally endless which can cause a bit of overwhelm when trying to choose the right pieces for your blank walls. In an effort to make the decisions a little bit easier, I’ve put together my four considerations when deciding on what artwork to put in my own home to help fill your space with impactful pieces.
Know the size
Deciding on the right size of piece is a must when bringing art into your home. Is the wall you’re looking to fill large enough for a grand print? Or perhaps it’s better with small pieces collaged on a gallery wall. When I’m putting up art (usually the last step to ensure the art is aligned with the furniture to avoid extra holes) I like to pull out a few options and hold them up on the walls. I’ve hung everything from large paintings to small 2-inch frames and I found the biggest decider is putting up a piece that provides balance to the room. You don’t want the art to feel like it’s overpowering the space, but you also don’t want it to be too small leaving the room feeling as if there’s a gap or something missing.
Decide on mediums
Choosing what medium you want to put on your walls can also be an intimidating step. When I’m working on a room in my home I like to consider how certain pieces will stand up to day-to-day wear and tear. For example, putting a painting in a bathroom is usually a no-go depending on the humidity that stays in that room while a print in a sealed frame lasts just fine. Similarly, I consider if the art could be affected by sun damage to help ensure more sensitive pieces aren’t in direct light all day. Once the specifications of your room are decided the fun part begins, deciphering what the vibe is in that particular room. We’ve gone with charcoal transfer sketches of my husband that were done years ago because it gives us a happy memory and gives a sense of calm in our living room while balancing well with the darker tones in some of the furniture. It’s all about adjusting to the frequency of the space and including pieces that add to the room’s song instead of demanding attention.
Prioritise finishes
I’ll be honest in saying there was a time I would simply hang a coveted poster on my wall with scotch tape but over time I’ve found that taking the time to frame your art and images creates a sense of polish and finality to a space that is hard to achieve otherwise. It gives focus to the art itself and helps it feel special. I like to keep it simple generally with black or white frames but find flexibility with canvases, knowing a raw-edge look may also add value to the room. I also like to play with collages on our corkboard to help quash any insatiable needs to move art around frequently, causing extra holes in my rented walls.
Make it meaningful
If we go with the rules of Dadaism, art can be anything so in my opinion it’s always more interesting if your art has a story and some sort of meaning to the residents who live there. Sometimes we’ll take arguably uninteresting things like old cards or even objects that have significance to us and put them up. It not only is a great way to highlight artwork that is often forgotten on things like birthday cards, but it reminds us of the home we’ve built together and the people who love us. The art you hang in your home shows who you are, so take the time to see how it feels to show your personality on your walls.
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